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1,000 Books Before Kindergarten

A reading program for children birth to age 5

Reading with your child develops vocabulary, increases interest in printed words, and instills a positive attitude about reading. Research shows these important skills are the key to learning to read easily and successfully. Sharing books with your child from birth helps them learn the skills they need to become a reader.

1,000 Books Before Kindergarten is a free program encouraging all parents and caregivers to read daily to their children, ensuring a solid foundation for learning when their child reaches kindergarten.

How Does 1,000 Books Before Kindergarten work?

Step 1: Register
Sign up at any Siouxland Libraries branch and receive free materials to get you started: a bag, a keepsake logbook for recording your progress, and a 1,000 Books Before Kindergarten picture book.

Step 2: Track Your Reading
Keep track of each book you read in your keepsake logbook. We know children love repetition and it helps them learn, so feel free to log the same favorites every time you read them. You can also track your reading online at: siouxlandlib.readsquared.com. Visit your online account to earn badges, play games and listen to stories read by popular celebrities.

Step 3: Show us your progress
For every 200 books you read, bring your reading log to any library branch to receive a special prize. When you reach 1,000 books you'll receive a free book to keep!

Daycares can get involved, too: Read 100 Books in Your Class

Download the Read 100 Books in Your Class poster or pick one up at your neighborhood library. Mark off a book on the poster each time you read to your class. When you reach 100 books, submit the completed log to any Siouxland Libraries branch for a prize. You may complete up to ten logs each year.

1,000 books?

How can you read 1,000 books? It's easier than you think...
It takes about 20 minutes to read 3 picture books. Do this every night and you will reach 1,000 books in less than a year!

Not sure you can commit to 3 books a night? No problem:
10 books a week for 2 years = 1,040
1 book a day for 3 years = 1,095